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The Cornwall Conservation Trust (CCT) recently acquired Cornwall’s iconic Cathedral Pines, as a donation from The Nature Conservancy.

Cathedral Pines is a 42-acre old-growth white pine and hemlock forest which was initially donated by the Calhoun family, who purchased it in 1883 to prevent logging. “Accepting this donation from The Nature Conservancy is a sort of a homecoming for the stewardship of Cathedral Pines,” said Bart Jones, CCT President. The large pines were mostly destroyed by tornadoes in July 1989 and the preserve has since become a study site for ecological restoration.

In his book, Second Nature, writer Michael Pollan uses the aftermath of the 1989 tornadoes at Cathedral Pines as a case for an insightful discussion of environmental ethics. The remaining white pines are about 120 to 140 feet high and Cathedral Pines is open to the public.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2020

Cornwall Conservation Trust, Inc. Accepts Donation of Iconic Cathedral Pines from The Nature Conservancy

Cornwall Conservation Trust, Inc. gratefully acknowledges receipt of the contribution of Cornwall’s iconic Cathedral Pines from the Nature Conservancy. Cathedral Pines is a 42 acre parcel in Cornwall, Connecticut that is an old-growth white pine and hemlock forest which had been donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1967 by the Calhoun family who had purchased it in 1883 to prevent logging. The large pines were mostly destroyed by tornadoes in July 1989 and the preserve has become a study site for ecological restoration. Cathedral Pines was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1982. The remaining white pines are approximately 120 feet (37 m) to 140 feet (43 m) high. Cathedral Pines is open to the public for hiking on its marked trail. In his book Second Nature, writer Michael Pollan uses the aftermath of the 1989 tornado damage at Cathedral Pines as a case for an insightful discussion of environmental ethics.

Sarah Pellegrino, Land Protection and Strategies Manager of The Nature Conservancy, said:

“The Nature Conservancy considers opportunities to transfer preserves to conservation partners where it benefits the management and care of the preserve, the goals of the partner, and our own strategic goals. We are pleased to once again work with the Cornwall Conservation Trust in this capacity and with the blessing of the Calhoun family, to place Cathedral Pines Preserve in their capable hands.”

“Accepting this donation from The Nature Conservancy is a sort of a homecoming for the stewardship of Cathedral Pines” said Bart Jones president of Cornwall Conservation Trust. “The Calhoun family living in Cornwall protected and cared for the forest for 84 years when in 1967 they entrusted its care to The Nature Conservancy. There was no locally controlled conservation organization in Cornwall at that time. I know that current Cornwall Calhoun family members now welcome locally controlled stewardship of Cathedral Pines by Cornwall Conservation Trust.”

Cornwall Conservation Trust was established in 1987 to conserve open space and farm land in Cornwall and adjacent towns and to manage those resources to promote wildlife habitat, forest improvement, water quality, farming and public recreation. Cornwall Conservation Trust has conserved over 2000 acres in Cornwall since its founding and is accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission in recognition of meeting national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

For more information about Cornwall Conservation Trust and Cathedral Pines go to www.cornwallconservationtrust.org